No, prevailing in a free-agent skirmish with the Colts doesn't give the Texans the sort of standings cred that a November victory at RCA Dome would. Little victories such as this, though, can lead to bigger ones down the road and at Reliant Stadium alike.

Coveted pass rusher

The Colts wanted Colvin as a hedge against the uncertain health of quarterback-seeking missile
Dwight Freeney

. The Texans have been looking for a pass rusher to work opposite
Mario Williams
. If anything, Colvin's nine-year body of work in the NFL over-qualifies him for the job.

Colvin, 30, has 52 1/2 career sacks, including two seasons with 10 1/2 . He collected two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, and didn't get them simply for breathing the same air as Bill Belichick. Colvin was a starting linebacker his final three seasons with the Patriots, leading the team in sacks in 2005 and 2006.

"My passion is rushing the passer," Colvin said. "It's something I feel like I do well."

If Colvin's so good at his job, then why would an organization as savvy as the Patriots cut him loose? Colvin was due to count $7.6 million against the Patriots' salary cap this season — second on the team only to quarterback Tom Brady. By cutting Colvin, the Patriots saved $5.8 million of cap room.

Colvin joins a team, of course, that is coming off the first break-even season in franchise history. Though Williams had a breakout second season, no one man — even one who has 14 sacks — can be a pass-rushing gang. Rookie Amobi Okoye was the only other Texan with more than three sacks, leaving opposing quarterbacks with ample time to pick apart the secondary.

Plenty of work to do

The Texans ranked 21st in sacks (31), 30th in opponents' pass-efficiency rating (93.6), 31st in completion percentage allowed (66.1) and 32nd in interceptions (11). Colvin can consider it his assignment to help change all of that.

With Colvin in the lineup the first 11 games last season, the Patriots allowed 16.8 points and 281.5 yards per game. Those averages crept up to 17.8 points and 303.2 yards in Colvin's absence the final five games. He isn't going to revolutionize defense, in other words, but he can help make a difference.

Maybe it will be as an outside linebacker, though the Texans have Zac Diles and Morlon Greenwood penciled in to start. More likely, it will be as a rusher off the edge in passing situations.

"I feel like I'm versatile enough to play a couple of different positions," Colvin said. "So whether or not I'll be playing offensive line or quarterback, defensive end or linebacker, it remains to be seen."

Colvin smiled and added, "The most important thing is that I remain healthy."

One of Texans general manager Rick Smith's tenets of team-building is to factor in how he thinks a newcomer will fit into the locker room. Given Colvin's health history, he should fit in easily with a team that had 17 players on injured reserve in each of the past two seasons.

Health will be key

Two games into the 2003 season, Colvin shattered a socket in his right hip. Though he was a reserve most of the 2004 season, he was third on the Patriots in sacks and started the biggest game of all — a Super Bowl victory against Philadelphia.

Colvin was poised to start on another Super Bowl team until the foot injury that led to him flunking a Patriots offseason physical. The Texans and Colts have since given him a clean bill of health.

"In the NFL, things can change with one snap," Colvin said. "I'm preparing myself to play every down, at any position."

He just won't be doing it for the Colts. Never mind that Colvin is an Indianapolis native who was an honor student and football star at the same high school, Broad Ripple, that David Letterman attended. Colvin worked at an RCA Dome concession stand as a teenager. He and his wife, Tiffany, own a couple of UPS stores in his hometown.

What a silver-tongued devil Smith must be.

As a college assistant, he recruited Colvin to play at Purdue. As an NFL executive, he brought in a smart veteran who should upgrade the defense.

Snatching Colvin away from a division rival is no small bonus, making it look like a win-win signing.

"New faces, new situation, new community, new team," Colvin said. "Hopefully the same old Rosey — which is a guy who goes out, works hard and does everything he can to make plays and win games."